The NRA started its own spending committee in June to oppose I-594, a measure on the November ballot that would expand background checks on gun purchases to online sales, gun shows and some transfers. Over the summer, disclosure reports only showed the committee with $25,000 of seed money from the NRA. The committee is known as (deep breath, it’s a mouthful): National Rifle Association of America Washingtonians Opposed to I-594.

But today, the state’s disclosure site shows donations that bring the NRA’s contributions to nearly $200,000. The NRA donated $100,000 on Aug. 18, another $31,500 on Aug. 27, and $35,000 on Aug. 7.

Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, however, still has a large fundraising edge at the moment. The group — which has spent money on TV ads, website development, direct mail, Facebook ads and consulting, among other things — has raised more than $7.3 million.

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Politics Northwest is the go-to blog for politics in our region. The blog explores national, state and local political news and issues. Reporters from Washington, D.C., to Seattle City Hall to the state capital in Olympia contribute. Editors are Richard Wagoner and Beth Kaiman.